Alarm-valve for automatic sprinkler systems.



II. z. LANDON. ALARM VALVE FOR AUTOMATIC SFRINKLER SYSTI'II/IS.`

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6,1915.

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ALARM-VALVE FOR AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application led February 6, 1915. Serial No. 6,655.

To all whomy t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HORACE Z. LANDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Alarm-Valves for Automatic Sprinkler Systems, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to alarm mechanism for sprinkler systems, and the mam object of the invention is to provide a novel device which will positively `differentiate under all conditions between water-hammer and flowage from the sprinkler system, thereby providing for the non-operating of the alarm mechanism when water-hammer occurs, and for the operating of said mecha nism when fiowage from the sprinkler system occurs. The occurrence of either waterhammer or flowage from the system causes a change of pressure in the conduit leading to the system, but the character of the pressure change caused by water-hammer-is different from that caused by lowage from the system. In the case of water-hammer, the pressure change is a momentary increase of pressure from the supply end, while in the case `ot' flowagey from the sprinkler system, the change of pressure is a continued reduction of pressure on the discharge end.

In prior devices which have aimed to prevent the operation of the alarm mechanism upon the occurrence ot' water-hammer while permitting its operation upon occurrence of lowage from the system, a construction has been employed by which a. time element was introduced between the occurrence of the pressure change in the conduit and the operation ot' the alarm, such time interval being greater than the normal disturbance or change of pressure due to water-hammer. As a result, the momentary pressure disturbance due to water-hammer would cease and the pressure conditions in the conduit again become normal before the lapse of the time interval, thus preventing the operation of the alarm. If, however, a flowage from the system occurred, the continued change in pressure conditions would after the lapse of the time interval, cause the operation of the alarm. In devices of this nature the introduction of the time element feature makes it impossible for the alarm to be sounded iin-- mediatelyY upon flowage from the system,

such as would occur if a sprinkler head gave way, as the alarm could only be sounded after the lapse of the time interval. This is something of a disadvantage as a prompt giving ot' the alarm upon flowage 'from the system is desirable.

By my invention I have provided a novel alarm mechanism which will positively differentiate between water-hammer and flowage from the system under all conditions, and which will cause the immediate operation of the alarm upon flowage from the system while providing for non-operation of the alarm by water-hammer. The operating principle of my invention is based on the fact that the character of the pressure change caused by water-hammer is different from that caused by flowage from the system, and I have herein provided a device which will respond to the pressure changes caused by llowage from the system thereby to sound the alarm, but will not respond to the pressure changes resulting from waterhammer.

As stated above, water-hammer produces a momentary increase of pressure from the supply end of the conduit, while iowage from the system produces a reduction in pressure at the discharge end of lthe conduit. My improved alarm-controlling mechanism is constructed so that it will respond to a reduction of pressure from the discharge end, but will not respond to an increase of pressure from the supply end which is not accompanied by the reduction of pressure due to flowage from the system. My improved device will, therefore, positively differentiate between water-hammer and vflowage from the system.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention the alarm-controlling device comprises two elements, each of which will respond to pressure changes in the conduit, and these elements are arranged in series in the conduit and are so related to each other that when water-hammer occurs, the element toward the supply end of the conduit will act first, while whenilowage from the system occurs with its consequent reduction of pressure from the discharge end ot' the conduit, the element toward the discharge end will be actuated first. The alarm mechanism is so constructed that it will be sounded only when the element toward the discharge end of the conduit is actuated before the other element, which is the condition when flowage occurs from the system. On the other' hand, when the element toward the supply end of the conduit operates first, which will be the case when water-hammer occurs, the alarm mechanism will be non-operative. My improved alarm mechanism will, therefore, be operated only when the two elements arranged in series respond in a predetermined sequence which .is the sequence occasioned by the occurrence of fiowage from the system.

ln order to give an understanding of my invention l have illustrated in the drawings accompanying this application a selected embodiment of the invention which is adapted for use in wet-pipe systems, but l desire to state that the invention is not limited to use in wet-pipe systems, as with suitable modiiications, it might be used equally well in drypipe systems.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a sectional view through an alarm mechanism embodying my invention in which the two series-arranged elements are in the nature of checlt valves;

Fig is a section on the line mim, Fig. l;

Fig. 3 shows an installation wherein my improved alarm mechanism is placed in a ny-pass connected to the main riser leading to the system, which riser is provided with means to cause a portion et the water flowing therethrough to pass through the bypass.

l designates a conduit which may oe either the main riser leading to the sprinkler system or may be a by-pass connected with the rise'. ln either event, it is a conduit through which water :Hows to the system when the sprinkler heads are in operation. rhe. suply end et the conduit is shown at 2 and the discharge end which is connected 'to the system is shown at 3. in the operation ot the sprinkler system tlowa'ge from a sprinkler head will obviously cause a reduction oi pressure at the discharge end 3, while a water-hanmier impulse willcause an increase of pressure at the supply l 2. M v device for positively ditlerent ting between water-hammer and ilowage -from the system comprises two elements arranged in series in said conduit, and each adapted to respond to tlowage through the conduit due to a change oi pressure condition therein which results in a greater pressure on the supply, side oie said elements thzni on the discharge side, and means to caus the alarm to be operated only when lthe Apinssrre corr ditions are such as to cause the ele-ments in a predetermined sequence. ln

' ted construction. l c two elements as check valves and 5, the cheek *valve oeing on the supply and the chelq valve 5 on the di charge si 1 order 'to avoid confusion, 'll her nat-er refer to the cha; valve -l s ment er supply check vali.;

Levass valve 5 as the discharge element or discharge check valve. These terms, however, are arbitrary, and have no significance except as a convenient means for differentiating the two-series-arranged check valves or similar elements from each other.

These check valves are so related to each other and to the alarm mechanism that the latter will be operated only when the discharge valve opens before the supply valve l. One way or' securing this end is to provide means whereby the alarm mechanism will be operated only when the valve 5 is opened and to provide means for preventing the valve 5 from opening it' the valve -l is opened while the valve is still seated. This insures that the alarm will be sounded only when the valves ope-n in a predetermined sequence. While any suitable means for controlling the alarm mechanism Jrom the valve 5 may be employed, the construction herein illustrated comprises a pipe or conduit leading to the alarm mechanism l2 and communicating with the chamber 7 between the check valves through a port 8, which port is normally closed hy a valve 9 carried by the check valve 5, the latter for this pur pose having an extension 10 depending theretrom on which the valve i) is mounted. So long as the check valve 5 is closed the valve 9 will close the port 8 and thus prevent the alarm from being sounded. The alarm mechanism may be any suitable or usual device, such, for instance, as an electric alarm of usual construction actuated by the pressure of the water in the pipe against a diaphragm, or the alarm mechanism may be one ot any other well-known constructions, such, for instance, as a continuous alarm operated by a rotary water wheel which is actuated hy the water flowing through the pipe in any event, 'the alarm will not be sounded except when the valve ti is opened to admit water to thepipe 6 from the chamber .1".

lilith `the tandem arrangement of valves above described., it will he see-n that when there is flowage dtrom the syst/em, the reduction of pressure on the discharge side 3 will cause the valve 5 to open before the valve i, while an increase 'of pressure on the supply side 2 oi: the valve will cause the valve to unseat before. the valve 5. There is thus a time interval elapsingbetwcen the operation of the two valves l and 5,'and l malte use oi" this time intervartc secure the loci-ring or the Vaive 5 whenever the valve i i is operated first, and to provide for the free operation of the 'valve when thclatter is operated lfirst. The valve 4 has associated therewith a locking mechanism designed to ei'lect the locking oi the valve to its seat whenever the valve iopens first. Hence when water-hammer occurs and the valve eiis .lifted c'roni its seat, the valve 5 becomes lGil 1 valve 5 will be free to open.

locked. While any suitable mechanism may be employed for the locking of the valve 5 whenever the valve 4 is unseated first, the construction illustrated is a practical one. The invention, however, is not limited to the device herein shown.

The valve 5 is provided with a projection 13 which is herein shown as carried by and extending from the extension 10. 14 designates the locking finger which is secured at 15 upon an arm 16 that in turn is pivotally mounted at 17 to a bracket 18 secured to the wall of the chamber 7. The arm 16 -has a finger 19 Vintegral therewith which rests against and is actuated by a cam 20 pivotal-ly mounted at 21 on the bracket 18. This cam 2O has rigid therewith one member 22 of a jointed connection, the other member 23 of which is pivotally connected at 24 to the valve 4. The construction and arrangement. are such that when the valve 4 is seat-ed the locking finger `14 will be free and clear from the projection 13 so that the If, however, the valve 4 is raised from its seat, the action thereof on the jointed connection 2Q, 23 will turn the cam 20, thus causing` it to act against the linger 19 to swing the arm 16 to the left F ig. 1 sufficiently to bring the locking finger 14 into locking en agement with the projection 1.3 thereby loc ting the valve 5 closed.

In order that the device may operate properly it is advantageous that the medium in the chamber 7 between the two valves should have some elasticity, and where' the device is used in a wet pipel system so that this chamber l is normally filled with water, I

yprov-ide for this by associating with said chamber an air chamber 25 which is partially filled with air and which furnishes the desired cushion effect. The operation of the device as thus far described will he readily apparent. i Y

In case fiowage occurs from the sprinkler system the reduction of pressure on the discharge side 3 will result in startingthe valve 5 from its seat before the valve l4 is opened, the movement of the valve 5 prior to unseatlng the valve 4 being sufiicient to carry the' nger 14 so projection 13 past the locking that when the valve 4 opens the finger 14 will not engage. the projection and both valves 4 and 5 are thus freely mit the water to flow to the sprinklersystem. The opening of the valve 5 will cause the alarm mechanism to be sounded as will be obvious. On the other hand, if waterhammer occurs or the pressure of the :waterv on the inlet side 2 of the'valve 4 is increased by lany means sufficiently to unseat the valve 4, this unscating movement will opera-te through the connections 22, 23 and lever 16 and finger 14 to lock the valve 5 :to its seat thus preventing the alarm from being probable,

opened to per-` sounded. When the impulse ceases the valve 4 will seat itself and the parts will resume their normal position again. The elastic quality of the medium in the chamber 7 between the two check .valves is desirable to more readily permit the valve 4 to open or unseat itself due to an increased pressure on the inlet side without causing the valve 5 to be unseated.

The construction above described has the advantage that water-hammer impulses repeated continuously at frequent intervals will not affect the opening of the valve 5 for each time that an impulse occurs the valve 5 is locked and this end will be secured no matter how often the impulses occur. My invention, therefore, positively discriminates under all conditions between flowage from the system and water-hammer.

It is conceivable, although extremely imthat a water-hammer impulse might occur practically simultaneously with the opening of a sprinkler head, or that a sprinkler head vmight open immediately after the water-hammer impulse and while the valve 5 was still locked. 1n either event the reduction of pressure on the discharge end 3 might cause suliicient pressure of the projection 13 against the locking finger 14 to hold the locking finger in its locking position even when the water-hammer impulse ceases to act on the valve 4, and if this should occur, the valve 5 would be locked closed and held closed even though a sprinkler head had given way. To prevent this from happening, l have provided means for positively unlocking the valve 5 in case such a condition arises. The rrfollowing' means is herein shown for this purpose. The locking finger 14 is formed as 'art of a lever 30 which is pivotally mounte at 15 on the arm 16, said lever being connected by a link 31 with a flap valve 32 pivoted at 33 to the bracket 18 and normally closing a port 34. This port 34 has communication by means of a pipe 35 with an equalizing chamber 36 The valve seat 37 of the valve 4 is provided with an annular passage 38 which communicates by a pipe 39 with the chamber'36, said pipe 39 being provided with an overflow or discharge nozzle 40 controlled by a ballvalve 41. Whenever the valve 4v is opened water will flow into the chamber 38 and from thence into the pipe 39. The rush of water flowing into the pipe 3 9k will seat the valve 41, thus closing the outlet 40 and caus-` ing wat-.er to flow intol the chamber 36. If ,the valve 4 is simply temporarily opened or unseated by water-hammer impulse then when the impulse ceases and the valve 4 closes again, the valve 41 will automatically roll ofi' from its seat, thus allowing the water to be drained out from the chamber 3G. If, however, the above-recitedy conditions arise where thevalve 5 becomes locked closed by has been brought up to that in the chamber 38 or, what is the same thing, to that in the chamber 7, then the valve 32 will be subjected to the same pressure on both sides thereof and the finger 11 will be allowed to disengage itself from the projection 13, thus permitting the valve 5 to o en. The Size of this chamber 36 and the size of the pipe 39 may be varied to give any desired time interval before the valve 32 is released.

From the above it will be seen that my alarm mechanism comprises two elements arranged in series and each constructed to respond to flowage through the conduit and means to cause the alarm to be sounded when the two elements respond in that particular sequence only which results from fiowage from the sprinkler system, the device being inoperative when the elements respond in any other sequence such as would be caused by water-hammer. lVhile the elements are herein illustrated as check valves, yet the invention is not limited to the use of check valves for this purpose, as any elements which will respond to the pressure changes resulting in movement of water' through the conduit will come within the scope of my invention. The device may be placed either in the main riser leading to the system, or in a by-pass. In Fig. 3 a construction. is shown in which the device is arranged in a by-pass which connects with the main riser 100 at the two points 99 and 98.V Where the device is arranged in a by-pass, the riser will be provided with suitable means such as a weighted check valve 97, for causing a certain portion of the water to pass through the bypass when there is movement of water through the riser.

While I have illustrated herein a selected embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the constructional features shown.

I claim:

1. In an alarm mechanism for sprinkler systems, the combination with a conduit leading to said system, of an alarm mechanism, an alarm-controlling device comprising two elements arranged in series and each responding to fiowage through the conduit, means constituting an elastic medium between said elements whereby any pressure chan-ge resulting in fiowage through the conduit will cause said elements to respond successively, means to cause the operation otl the alarm when the element on the system side responds before the element on the supply side, and means to lock the element on the system side from operation when the element on the supply side responds first.

In an alarm mechanism for sprinkler systems, the combination with a conduit leading to said system, of an alarm mechanism, an alarm-controlling device comprising two elements arranged in series and each responding to iiowage through the conduit, means constituting an elastic medium between said elements whereby any pressure change resulting in iowage through the conduit will cause said elements to respond successively, means to cause the operation of the alarm when the element on the system side responds before the yelement on the supply side, and means operated by the element on the supply side when it operates before the other element to lock said other element from operation.

3. In an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit connected at its discharge end to a sprinkler system and at the other end to a source of water supply, of two check valves in said conduit which are opened by tlowage from the system, an alarm mechanism, means to cause actuation of said mechanism by opening movement of one check valve, and means to lock said means from operation when the other check valve opens first.

4. In an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit connected to a sprinkler system, of two check valves in said conduit which are opened by tlowage from the system, an alarm-mitiating device, means to actuate said device by the opening of one check valve, and means to lock said check valve closed when the other check valve opens first.

5. In an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit connected to a sprinkler system, of two check valves in said conduit arranged in series, an alarminitiating device, means to cause said device to operate by the opening of the check valve at the system end of the conduit, and means to lock said device from operation when the other check valve is unseated while the check valve at the system end of the conduit is seated.

6. In an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit communicating with thelsprinkler system, of two check valves therein which are opened by fiowage from the system, a normally-inoperative lock for one check valve, and means to actuate said lock by opening movement of the other check valve.

7 vIn an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit communicating at one end with a sprinkler system and at the other end with a source of water supply, of two check valves in said conduit arranged in series, means providing an elastic medium between said check valves to permit the check valve at the inlet end of the conduit to open without unseating the other check valve, an alarm-initiating device actuated by the opening movement of said other check valve, and means actuated by the check valve at the inlet end of the conduit to lock said other check valve closed when said inlet check valve opens first.

S. In an alarm mechanism for sprinkler systems, the combination with a conduit leading to the system, of an alarm device, two owage-controlled elements arranged in series in said conduit, an alarm-initiating device, means to actuate said device by the operation of one element, and means to lock said element from operation when the other element operates rst.

9. In an alarm mechanism for sprinkler systems, the combination with a conduit leading to the system, of an alarm device, two flowage-controlled elements arranged in Copie nf this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the series in said conduit, an alarm-initiating device, means to actuate said device by the operation of one element, means to lock said element from operation when the other element operates first, and means to release said lock if said other element continues in operation for a predetermined time.

10. In an alarm valve mechanism, the combination with a conduit connected to a sprinkler system, of two check valves in said conduit which are opened by owage from the system, an alarm-initiating device, means to actuate said device by the opening of one check valveawmeans to lock said check valve closed when the other check valve opens first, and means to release said lock if said other check valve remains open for a predetermined length of time.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HORACE Z. LANDON.

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH G. MORRIS, THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

"Commissioner of Patenti,

Washington, D. 0. 

